NZ Opens Diplomatic Mission To ASEAN in Jakarta And Celebrates Business Links.

New Zealand has officially opened its first diplomatic mission to the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) bloc in Jakarta, Trade Minister Tim Groser said Friday.

â€œThe opening of a New Zealand Mission is a significant demonstration of our commitment to the region. It comes at an important time. This year marks the 40th anniversary of New Zealandâ€™s formal relationship with ASEAN, and also the year that ASEAN will launch the ASEAN Community,â€ Tim Groser said who opened the mission.

â€œASEAN is now home to around 625 million people and has a combined GDP of USD2.4 trillion. Taken as a bloc, ASEAN is now the seventh largest economy in the world and New Zealandâ€™s fourth largest trading partner. ASEAN has become a pillar of New Zealand trade.â€

While in Jakarta, Minister Groser also warmly welcomed the signing of a contract between New Zealand solar power company, Power Technology ASEAN Ltd, and Indonesian conglomerate, Sekar Group.

In the contract the parties agree to work together to develop ASEANâ€™s first environmentally-sustainable shrimp farm in Sumbawa. Powertech ASEAN will provide the design and installation expertise to the Sekar Group.

â€œWe have long been involved with Indonesia in the development of Indonesiaâ€™s huge renewable energy production in geothermal power, where New Zealand obviously has world-leading technology.â€

â€œIt is therefore very pleasing that we are now starting to see that smart New Zealand companies in other areas of the renewable energy equation â€“ in this case, solar â€“ can contribute to Indonesiaâ€™s low-carbon energy security,â€ Groser said.

Trade Minister Groserâ€™s visit to Indonesia is part of a series of events held in ASEAN countries this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of New Zealand-ASEAN relations.